Electric switch and terminal connector



s. s. G-UELSON 2,31,775

ELECTRIC SWITCH AND TERMINAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1942 62 56 f Q I INVENTOR.

s. s. GUELSON 2,318,775

ELECTRIC SWITCH AND TERMINAL CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 29, 194-2 May 11, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Z5 arzeg -57 62462560 Patented May 11, 1943 ELECTRIC SWITCH AND TERMINAL CONNECTOR Stanley S. Guelson, Milwaukee, Wis, assignor to Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 29, 1942, Serial No. 428,736

12 Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches and.

has particular reference to an improved form of combined electric switch and quick detachable terminal connector. I

While the invention has particular utility in connecting the lead conductors of a thermoelectric generator and lead connection such as that more fully disclosed in Oscar J. Leins Patent No. 2,126,564, granted August 9, 1938, to a thermoelectric safety shutofi device, and is shown and described in that connection, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the particular use herein set forth but may be employed for all similar purposes as suitable or desired.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide in a switch of the class described an improved form of wiping action of thecontacts, one against the other, and, more particularly, a switch having a pair of contacts, one mounted for turning movement relative to the other contact, in combination with means for imparting a. component of endwise movement toat least one of the contacts to produce a wiping con tact between the contacts upon turning one contact in one direction and to separate the contacts upon turning said contact in the opposite direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a switch, and particularly in a switch of the class described, quick detachable terminal connector means adapted to provide a quick detachable terminal connection between the lead conductors and the thermoelectric safety shutoff or other device, and a switch at the quick detachable terminal connectionfor opening or disabling and closing or enabling the circuit between the lead conductors and the connected device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch, and, more particularly, a switch and quick detachable terminal connector of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, and which may be installed and operated conveniently and efiectively; also a device of this character composed of relatively few parts and adapted for convenient andexpeditious manufacture and assembly.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 7

Figure l is a more or less diagrammatic view showing the switch and terminal connector applied to one illustrative form of thermoelectric safety shutofi device for a burner equipped with a pilot burner;

Figure 2 is a top plan or outer end view of the switch and terminal connector shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan or inner end view of the switch and terminal connector;

Figure 4 is an axial section partially in elevation through the switch and terminal connector, taken on the line 6-4 of Figure 3; and a Figure 5 is a fragmentary section, partially i elevation, through the thermoelectric safety shutoff device shown inFigure 1, and through the switch and terminal connector and the adjacent end of the lead conductor means for the thermoelectric generator.

Referring to the drawings, the burner, shown fragmentarily at 10, is any suitable or preferred main burner, such as thevburner for a room or space heater, water heater, floor furnace, or any other burner. A fuel" supply pipe leads to the burner ID for the delivery of gaseous or other fuel thereto-for example, through the mixing chamber l2 to which air is admitted in the usual way, as well understood in the art. Thesafety shutoff device, designated in its entirety at I5, is connected into the fuel supply pipe The particular thermoelectric safety shutofi device shown in the drawings is in the form ofa thermoelectric safety shutoff valve in general of the character disclosed and claimed in the copendin application of Richard K. Engholdt, Serial No. 328,923, filed April 10, 1940. The particular form of this thermoelectric safety shutoff device may, of course, vary widely within the scope of the present invention, and, as already pointed out, the combined switch and terminal connector may be used with other devices as suitable or desired.

Suffice it to state for the purpose of the present description that the particular safety shutoff device I5 selected for illustration comprises a pair of valve body parts 20 and 2|. The body part 20 has. an inlet 22 opening into an inlet chamber 23, and the body part 2| has an outlet 26 leading from the outlet chamber 25. An adjustable and removable valve seat member 28 is mounted between the valve body parts 20 and 2| and, more particularly, between the oblique inner ends thereof. Gaskets 29 are preferably provided between the opposite sides of the valve seat member 28 and the valve body parts 20 and 2|.

The valve seat member'28 has a valve opening 30 through which the inlet chamber 23 is adapted to be placed in communication with the outlet chamber 25. Surrounding one end of the valve opening 30 at one side of the valve seat'memb'er 28 is an annular valve seat 32 for a shutoff valve disc as. Surrounding the other end of the valve opening 38 and at the other side of the valve seat member 28 is an annular valve seat 34 for a flow.

' The electromagnet comprises a generally U- shaped magnet frame 42 positioned within the hollow boss 38 and secured to a terminal bushing 43 by a terminal tip member 44. The shank of the terminal tip member 44 passes through an opening in the base of the magnet frame 42, and a metallic connector tab 45 is shown as secured between the inner headed end of the terminal tip member and the base of the magnet frame. The shank of the terminal tip 44 is insulated from the magnet frame 42 by insulation indicated at 46, and insulation at 41 is interposed between the connector tab 45 and the magnet frame, and, if desired between the tab 45 and the coil 48 of the electromagnet.

The coil 48 is wound around the legs of the magnet frame and has one end connected at 49 in circuit with the terminal tip 44. The other end of the coil 48 is clamped at 58 between the base of the magnet frame 42 and the inner end of the terminal bushing 43, and is thereby connected in circuit with the terminal bushing 43 which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, extends through an opening in the outer end of the boss 38. Thebushing 43 is externally threaded for threaded engagement with a nut 52 by means of which the bushing 43 is clamped in place on the outer end of the boss 38 preferably with a asket 53 between the headed inner end of the bushing 43 and the end wall of the boss 38. Insulation is preferably provided between the coil and the magnet frame, and an anchor strip 54 holds a coil insulator 55 in place as shown.

Disposed in juxtaposition to the main burner I8 is a pilot burner 56 which maintains a pilot flame for igniting the main burner. The pilot burner 56 is supplied with fuel by a pipe or tube 58 which is connected to the device I through the threaded outlet 59 in the valve seat member 28.

A thermoelectric generator 68 is placed in position so that the hot junction 62 thereof will be heated by the pilot flame as long as the pilot flame is burning. The thermoelectric generator shown in the drawings is in the form a thermocouple similar to that more fully described in Oscar J. Leins Patent No. 2,126,564, granted August 9, 1938. The thermoelectric generator and lead therefor may be of other forms within the scope of the broader aspects of the present invention.

For the purpose of the present description suffice it to state that the particular thermocouple 68 shown in the drawings comprises an outer tubular metallic thermocouple member 63 and an inner metallic thermocouple member 64 joined at one end to the outer end of the. thermocouple member 63 to form the thermojun'ction 62 which is placed in position to be heated bylthe pilot light or other flame. An inner lead conductor 65 is 7 Joined to the inner thermocouple member 64 to form an internal thermojunction 66, and an outer tubular lead conductor 88 is connected to the outer thermocouple member 83-for instance,

, sitioned between the headed outer end of the bars 86, 92, 93

terminalv tip, and the adjacent portion of the shank of the terminal tip 44 and the bushing 43. The extending end of the inner lead conductor 65 has fixed thereon a connector cone 18 which is adapted to seat in the recess 14 and to be clamped in contact with the recessed end of the terminal tip 44 by a connector sleeve 19. The sleeve 19 has a shank externally threaded at 8| for threaded engagement with the internal threads at 82 in the outer end of the bushing 43. A connector sleeve 88, fixed on the outer lead 68, makes good contact with the sleeve I8.

The switch, designated in its entirety at 85, is adapted for quick detachable connection between the terminal means on the safety shutofi device I5 and the terminal means at the ends of the lead conductors 65, 68. The character of the switch is such that it may be applied between the terminal means on the device I5, and the terminal means on the lead conductors or the switch may be removed'and the terminal means on the lead conductors applied directly to the terminal means on the device I5 by threading the sleeve 19 directly into the bushing 43 to complete one side of the thermoelectric circuit through the bushing 43 and to clamp the cone 16 in contact with the conically recessed end of the terminal tip to complete the other side of the thermoelectric circuit. Insulation at 83 insulates the cone I8 from the sleeve 19 and 88.

The switch 85 comprises a contact or conducting member 86 provided with a radially extending annular contact flange 81. A conducting nipple 88 formed integral with the contact flange 81 and extending inwardly therefrom in an axial direction is externally threaded at 89 for threaded engagement with the internally threaded portion 82 of the bushing 43. The contact flange 81 is secured, for example, by screws 98 to the inner end of insulating member 92, and a conducting member 93 has 'an integral radially extending flange 94 secured, for example, by screws 95 to the outer end of the insulatingmember 92.

The conducting member 93 has a conducting nipple 96 formed integral therewith and extending outwardly therefrom coaxially with respect to the nipple 88. The nipple 96 is internally threaded at 98 for threaded engagement with the externally threaded shank of the sleeve I9. A terminal tip member I88 is fixed in the memandis insulated from the conducting members 86 and 93 by insulation at I8I,

The inner extending end of theiterminal tip I88 has a connector cone I83 which is adapted 'to seat in the recessed end of the terminaltip 44 terminal tip I06 by threading the connector sleeve 19 into the conducting nipple St on the conducting member 93.

The flange 81 on the member 86 constitutes one of the switch contacts. The other switch contact is in the form of a conducting sleeve I08 threaded at Hi9 upon the member 88. An annular flange I it extending radially inwardly from the inner end of the sleeve its forms the other switch contact which is adapted to be moved into and out of contact with the contact 877. The flange H0, by cooperation with the member 93, also limits separation of the contact 888 from the contact 8?.

The contact Hill has a handle or finger piece H2 for turning the same relative to the contact 8?. Upon turning the contact 8138 on the member 93 and relative to the contact 811, the threaded engagement at its imparts a component of endwise movement to the contact the. When the handle or finger piece M2 is turned in one direction, for example in a clockwise direction as the switch is viewed in Figure 2, the component of endwise movement is toward the contact ill. As a result, there is produced a good and efiective wiping contact between the contact flange lit and the contact 377 to close or enable the thermo electric circuit between the thermoelectric generator and the electromagnet when the contact is turned in one direction.

When the contact m3 is turned in the opposite direction, for ex pie in a counterclockwise direction as the s h is viewed in Figure 2, the component or en ise movement of the contact contact a result, the Q from the contact 8? to open or tne thermoelectric circuit. A of one contact upon the other and cpenin the switch to n clean and to assure good conon the lead conoel ctric generator is apl on the device ten as shown and rated to closed position, a ciris col rent the internal thermocouple member the inner cone it, termine-l tip at to one terminal of the coil as, from he outer thermocouple member through the outer lead connector sleeve '59, and bushing to ground th ough the valve body to which the other term al of the coil is grounded, or to the other terminal of the coil without grounding to the valve body if desired. With the switch 855 in place and closed, one side or" the circuit is completed between the connector sleeve it) and the bushing 33 through the conducting member 923 and contacts it% and ti, and the other side of the circuit is completed between the cone l8 and the terminal tip 16 through the terminal tip Hit. The thermoelectric circuit is opened and closed by contact between and separation of the contact members Hit and ill.

The electromagnet has an armature E it operable within the cup cc. The armature i it is attached to the outer end of a stem i it, if desired,

When the ductors for plied directly t or when the described, o

in a manner to permit self-accommodation of around the stem lit and between the H8 and the inner end of the cup dc.

'I'hevalve disc 33 is attached to the inner end of the stem M6, for example, by a pin are, and preferably in a manner to permit self-accommodation of the valve disc 33 to the valve seat 32. The valve disc 33 is preferably provided with a valve gasket or yielding valve facing 922 secured in placewby a suitable screw its, or in any other suitable manner. A valve spring i2 3 is coiled about the cup 438 and is interposed between the valve disc 33 and a shoulder or abutment E25 in the body member 2@.

The valve seat member 28 has a pilot supply opening its leading from the valve opening to out through the outlet til which is connected to the pilot supply tube 58. \When the pipe ortube 58 is connected to the device as shown, for example, in Figure 5, fuel is adapted to be supplied to the pilot burner 5E3 from the interior of the body part of the safety shutoff device l5 whenever the shutofi valve is open.

The heat of the pilot light upon the thermo= couple is sufficient to hold the armature ill} guide cup in attracted position and the valve member in open position, as shown in F gure 5, when the armature is engaged with the pole ends of the magnet frame, but this thermoelectric current is not capable of moving the armature to attracted position and the valve member to open position. In order, therefore, to provide for opening the valve member 33 and for setting the armature to attracted position upon initial operation of the device and to reset the device after the same closes to shut on the fuel supply to the main burner and to the pilot burner when the pilot light is extinguished, reset means is provided. This reset means is shovm as comprising a reset stem H35 coaxial with the shit in valve and extending from the body part at obliquely with respect to the axis or? the outlet Ed. The reset means includes the flow intern disc 35 for seating upon the valve seat 35 to shut oi the supply of fuel tothe main burner during the resetting operation, and the outer end of the reset stem is providedwith a reset button When the pilot light is burning, the heat thereof on the thermoiunction produces a thermoelectric current in the coil cc, assuming,

, inwardly, the magnetic attraction holds the ar mature in attracted position against the magnet frame and the shutofi? valve 33 in open position as long as the pilot flame is burning. The gas or other fuel enters the safety shutofi device through the inlet 22 and flows out through the valve opening 30 and outlet 2% to the main burner and out through the valve opening 3t and tube or pipe 58 to the pilot burner.

If the pilot flame is extinguished, the holding action of the electromagnet ceases to be sumcient to hold the armature H5 in attracted position and the valve 33 in open position, and the valve 33 is moved by the spring IN to closed position against the seat 32 to shut ofi the supply of fuel to the main burner l0 and also to the pilot burner 56. v i l When it is desired to reset the device, the reset button 0863 is engaged with the hand or fingers and pressed inwardly. The accompanying inward movement of the reset stem allows the flow interrupter disc 85 to move to closed position against the seat 35 to shut off the supply of fuel to the main burner during the resetting operation. As the reset stem continues to move inwardly, its inner headed end engages the screw H28 and moves the armature M to attracted position and the shutofi valve 33 to open postticn. Fuel thereupon fiows through the pilot supply passage iilii to the pilot burner, and if the pilot burner is lighted and sets up a thermoelectric current to hold the armature in attracted position the shutofi valve 33 W41 remain open, and when the reset stem I35 is released it is returned to its outwardly projected position. As the reset stem is moved to its outwardly projected position, the fiow interrupter disc 35 is opened and fuel thereupon passes to the main burner where it is lighted by the pilot burner.

If, on the other hand, the pilot burner is not lighted to produce the thermoelectric current for holding the shutofi valve 88 open, this valve will move to closed position upon release of the reset button. The switch $5 is adapted to open or disable and close or enable the thermoelectric circuit, and constitutes quick detachable connector means between the thermocouple leads and the terminal means for the electromagnet. The

quick detachable'form of the connection provided by the switch permits the safety shutoff device, the switch, and the thermocouple and its leads to be packed and shipped separately, and the leads may be applied directly to the device 26, or they may be applied to the device through.

the switch as the particular installation requires. The switch may be provided with detent or other catch means for holding the movable switch member I08 in its open and closed positions. The

open position of the switch, with the contact member I08 separated from the contact member 81, is shown in Figure 4, and the closed position of the switch is shown in Figure 5, with the contact flange 0 of the contact I08 in contact with the contact member 81.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be expressly understood that said drawings and the accompanying specification are not to be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being bad to the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. In a switch oi the class described, in combination, first contact means comprising a first contact member and a support for a second contact member, an insulating member interposed between and fixedly secured to said first contact member and to said support spacing them apart axially, a second contact member mounted to turn on said support relative to said first contact member, and interengaging means on said support and said second contact member for imparting a component of movement to at least one of said contact members in adirection generally at right angles to the path of turning movement of said second contact member to produce a wiping and generally wedging contact between said contact members upon tuming said second contact member in one direction and to separate said contact members upon turning said second contact member in the opposite direction.

acrea e 2. In a switch of the class described, in combination, first contact means comprising a first contact member and a support for a second contact member, an insulating member interposed between and secured to said first contact memher and to said support spacing them apart axially, a second contact member mounted to turn on said support relative to said first contact member, said second contact member havin an inwardly extending flange operating between said first contact member and said support, and interengaging means on said support and said second contact member for imparting a component of movement to at ieast one of said contact members in a direction generally at right angles to the path of turning movement of said second contact member to produce a wiping and generally wedging contact between the flange on said second contact member and said first contact member upon turning said second contact member in one direction and to separate the flange on said second contact member from said first contact member upon turning said second contact member in the opposite direction, said support constituting an abutment for cooperation with the flange .on said second contact member to limit separation of said contact members and said flange providing a large area of contact between said contact members.

3. In a switch of the class described, in combination, first contact means comprising a first contact member and a support for a second contact member, an insulating member interposed between and secured to said first contact member and to said support spacing them apart axially, a second contact member mounted to turn on said support relative to said first contact member, said second contact member having an inwardly extending flange operating between said first contact member and said support, interengaging means on said support and said second contact member for imparting a component of movement to at least one of said contact members in a direction generally at right angles to the path of turning movement of said second contact member to produce a wiping and generally wedging contact between the flange on said second contact member and said first contact member upon turning said second contact member in one direction and to separate the flange on said second contact member from said first contact member upon turning said second contact member in the opposite direction, said support constituting an abutment for cooperation with the flange on said second contact member to limit separation of said contact members and said flange providing a large area of contact between said contact members, and a finger piece on said second contact member for manipulating the same.

4. In a switch of the class described, in combination, first contact means comprising a first contact member and a support for a second contact member, an insulating member interposed between and secured to said first contact member and to said support spacing them apart axially, a second contact member having threaded engagement with said support and adapted to turn relative to said first contact member, said second contact member having an inwardly extending flange operating between said first contact member and said support, the threaded engagement between said second contact member and said support being operable to impart a. component or movement to at least one of said contact member in a direction generally at right angles to the path of turning movement of said -second contact member to produce a wiping and generally wedging contact between the flange on said second contact member and said first contact member upon turning said second contact member in one direction and separating the flange on said second v contact member from said first contact member upon turning said second contact member in the opposite direction. said support constituting an abutment for cooperation with the flange on said second contact member to limit separation of said contact members and said flange providing a large area of contact between said contact members.

5. In a switch of the class described, in combination, a first contact member, a conducting member, an insulating member interposed between and secured to said first contact member and to said conducting member, ,a pair of coaxial and threaded terminal connector members, one on said first contact member and the other on said conducting member, a terminal tip member mounted in said first contact member and extending through said insulating member and into said conducting member, said terminal tip having a terminal end extending from the terminal connector member on said first contact member, and a second 'contact member having threaded engagement with said conducting member and adapted to turn relative to said first contact member, the threaded engagement between said second contact member and said conducting member imparting a component of movement to at least one of said contact members in a direction generally at right angles to the path of turning movement of said second contact member to produce a wiping and gen erally wedging contact between said contact members upon turning said second contact member in one direction and to separate said contact members upon turning said second contact member in the opposite direction.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, a first contact member having an annular radially extending flange and. an integral externally threaded terminal nipple, a conduct ing member having an annular radially extending flange and an integral hollow stem coaxial with said nipple and provided with internal threads, an' insulating member interposed be tween the radialfianges on said first contact member and said conducting member and secured thereto, a terminal tip mounted in said first contact member and extending through said insulating member and into said conducting member, means insulating said terminal tip from said first contact member and said conducting member, a connector cone integral with the end of said terminal tip beyond the end of said nipple, the opposite end of said terminal tip having a conical recess, and a second contact member having threaded engagement with said conducting member and adapted to turn relative to said first contact member, the threaded engagement between said second contact member and said conducting member being adapted to impart a component of movement to at least one of said contact members in a direction generally at right angles to the path of turning movement of said second contact member to produce a wiping and generally wedging contact between said contact members upon turning said second contact member in one direction and to separate 7. In a device of the class described, a flrst contact memberhaving an annular radially extending flange and a terminal nipple, a conducting member having an annular radially extending flange and a hollow stem coaxial with said nipple, an insulating member interposed between the radial flanges on said first contact member and said conducting member and secured thereto, a terminal tipmounted in said first contact member and extending through said insulating member and into said conducting member, means insulating said terminal tip from said first contact member and said conducting member, the ends of said tip being exposed for contact with associated contact members, and a second contact member threaded on said conducting member turnable thereabout and movable into contact with said first contact member by combined turning and axial movementwhen turned in one direction and away from said first contact member out of contact therewith when turned in the other direction.

8. In a device of the class described, a first contact member having a radially extending flange and a terminal nipple, a conducting mem-- ber having an annular radially extending flange and a hollow stem, an insulating member interposed between and secured to said flanges, a terminal tip carried by and insulated from said contact member and said conducting member with its ends exposed for contact with contact members of associated devices attached to said nipple and said stem respectively, a second con-=- tact member, and means mounting said second contact member on said flange of said conduct= ing member for movement into contact with said first contact member by combined turning and axial movement and movement away from said first contact member out or" contact therewith,

In a device or the class described, a first contact member having an annular radially ex= tending flange and a terminal nipple, a corn ducting member having an annular radially extending flange and a hollow stem, said flanges being secured together and insulated from each other, a terminal tip carried by and insulated from said contact member and said conducting member with its ends exposed for contact with contact members of associated devices attached to said nipple and said stem respectively, a second contact member associated with one of said flanges and having a contact element overlying the other of said flanges, and means mounting said second contact member onsaid one flange for movement of said element into contact with said other flange by combined turning and axial movement of said second contact member and movement of said element away from said other flange out of contact therewith.

10. In a device of the class described, a first contact member having a substantially radially extending flange and a terminal nipple, a conducting member secured to andinsulated from said contact member having a hollow stem, a terminal tip carried by and insulated from said contact member and said conducting member with its ends exposed for contact with contact members of associated devices attached to said nipple and said stem respectively, a second contact member, and means mounting said second contact member on said conducting member for movement into contact with said first contact member by combined turning and axial move-- ment and movement away from said first contact member out of contact therewith.

11. In a device of the class described, a first contact member and a conducting member secured together end to end and insulated from each other, said contact member having an outwardly extending terminal nipple and said conducting member having an outwardly extending hollow stem coaxial with said nipple, a terminal tip extending through said nipple and said stem coaxially therewith insulated therefrom with its ends exposed for contact with contact members of associated devices attached to said nipple and said stem respectively, one of said members having a substantially radially extending flange, and a second contact member threaded on the other of said first contact and conducting members movable into and out of contact with said flange asia'rzs by turning movement about said other member and accompanying axial movement of said second contact member.

12. In a. device of the class described. a first contact member and a conducting member fixedly secured together end to end and insulated from each other, a terminal tip carried by said members insulated therefrom with its ends exposed for contact with contact members of associated devices attached to said contact member and said conducting member respectively, a second contact member, and means mounting said second contact member on said conducting memher for movement into contact with said first contact member by combined turning and axial movement and movement away from said first contact member out of contact therewith.

' STANLEY S. GUELSON. 

